Description

This summer, senior government officials from central and local government, NGOs from around the world and leading e-Government experts will come together to discuss the evolving relationship between e-Participation, social inclusion and e-Government and to establish a new conceptual framework for citizen-centric government.

What is e-Participation? Social Inclusion? e-Government?
• Learn how these topics are quickly converging into next big ‘e’ agenda
• Find out more about the next key funding focus for policymakers
• Discover how your constituents can benefit from this new approach to citizen-centric service delivery and governance
• Special sessions on e-Gov take up, Digi Challenge and how to use the VOICE empowering citizens and communities Toolkit

Why should I attend?
• CRM? Mobile Technologies? Identity Management? e-Voting? Learn first hand about the new and emerging global tools that are reshaping governance
• See how these tools can be used to increase participation and inclusion and bolster efficiency
• Shape the debate and ensure your voice is heard on the way forward
• Network with peers and experts from the United Nations, Council of Europe and a host of world leading NGOs
• Be at the launch of the International e-Democracy Centre of Excellence

What will the Symposium achieve?
• Provide a framework for the follow on to the UN Global e-Government Readiness Report 2005: From e-Government to e-Inclusion
• Define how e-Government readiness and e-Participation should be defined and measured
• Establish a new global model for e-Participation policy
• Define the language and terminology for future debate on e-Government
• Provide foundation for an evolving accessibility/Social Inclusion agenda

To ensure genuine international input from every level of government and all key sectors, participants will have the opportunity to attend the Symposium in either Budapest or Baltimore. The Budapest Symposium will set the stage for discussion and debate around the critical challenges stakeholders face as they struggle to deliver the full potential of e-Government. The Baltimore event then aims to take the discussion further by exploring new and emerging applications in the country that has pioneered the art of online campaigning but now faces the challenge of translating e-advocacy tools into more inclusive governing.

If you are interested in exploring new approaches to governance and citizen participation in the new information age then this conference is for you.

KEY PARTNERS:
• Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, UK
• United Nations – Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• Council of Europe
• National Association of Secretaries of State, USA
• Local e-Democracy National Project, UK (www.edemocracy.gov.uk)
• National Association of State Election Directors, USA